Cub ScoutsCub Scouts is a program designed to meet the needs of young boys, by offering fun and challenging activities to promote character development, citizenship, and physical fitness.

Scouts BSAScouts BSA is a program for youth ages 11 through 17, designed to develop character, citizenship, and fitness.

VenturingVenturing is a youth development program for young men and women 14 years of age (and in the 9th grade) through 20 years old.

Sea ScoutsSea Scouts is a youth development program for young men and women 14 years of age through 20 years old with a special interest in aquatic activities.

ExploringExploring is Learning for Life’s career education program for young men and women who are 14 to 20 years old.

Learning For LifeLearning for Life offers seven programs designed to support schools and community-based organizations in their efforts to prepare youth to successfully handle the complexities of contemporary society and to enhance their self-confidence, motivation, and self-esteem.

ActivitiesThe Sam Houston Area Council offers a variety of activities in which packs, troops, teams, crews and ships are invited to participate.

Advancement & AwardsScouts are rewarded for each achievement, which helps him or her gain self-confidence.

Order of the ArrowThe Order of the Arrow is the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America.

PopcornSelling gourmet popcorn is a wonderful opportunity for units to earn funds to support their entire year of Scouting.

Scout DaysScout Days are opportunities for Scouts and their families to receive discounts on events with our community partners. Many of our partners also offer merit badge classes and advancement workshops for Scouts.

Scout FairScout Fair is an exposition of Scouting activities presented by units from across the council. Scouts and families can visit hundreds of booths and displays.

Scouting for FoodScouting for Food is a council-wide service project in conjunction with the Houston Food Bank and "Souper Bowl of Caring.”

TrainingEvery Scout deserves a trained leader. Training is an important part of learning to become an effective leader.

DistrictsThe Sam Houston Area Council is divided into 26 geographic districts.

Aldine PathfinderAldine Pathfinder District is in the North Division and serves Scouts living in the Aldine and Spring Branch school districts.

AquilaAquila District is in the South Division and serves the southwest area of the Houston ISD attendance zones of Harris County, including Sharpstown, Bellaire, Meyerland, and Braes Oak.

ArrowheadArrowhead District is in the South Division and serves Scouts living in the Alief and Fort Bend (north of US-59 in Fort Bend County) school districts.

ArrowmoonArrowmoon District is in the Frontier Division and serves Anderson-Shiro, Bryan, Caldwell, College Station, Madisonville County Navasota and Richards school districts.

Big CypressBig Cypress is in the West Division and serves the northwest area of the Cy-Fair ISD attendance zones of Harris County, including Cypress, Bridgeland and Fairfield.

BrahmanBrahman is in the Frontier Division and serves Matagorda, Wharton and Colorado counties.

BrazosBrazos District is in the South Division and serves Lamar CISD and Needville ISD in Fort Bend County.

CopperheadCopperhead District is in the West Division and serves the southwest side of the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD south of West Rd and west of Eldridge Pkwy.

David CrockettDavid Crockett District is located in the Frontier Division and serves Bellville, Brazos. Brenham, Burton, Hempstead, Sealy, Somerville and Waller school districts.

Flaming ArrowFlaming Arrow is in the East Division and serves Scouts living in the Splendora, New Caney, Huffman and Humble school districts.

George StrakeGeorge Strake is the Frontier Division and serves Scouts living in the Conroe (north of the San Jacinto River), Huntsville, Montgomery, New Waverly, Trinity and Willis school districts.

Iron HorseIron Horse is in the North Division and serves Scouts living in the Spring and Klein school districts (east of Kuykendahl).

MustangMustang District is in the West Division and serves Scouts living in the Spring Branch and Houston (north of Westheimer and outside of Beltway 8) school districts.

OrionOrion District is in the North Division and serves Scouts living in the Tomball and Magnolia school districts.

PhoenixPhoenix District is located in the North Division and serves Scouts living in the Klein school district (west of Kuykendahl).

RavenRaven District is in the East Division and serves Scouts living in East Houston, Barbers Hill, Galena Park, Goose Creek CISD, Channelview, Crosby, Sheldon and Mont Belvieu school districts.

San JacintoSan Jacinto District is located in the East Division and serves Clear Creek ISD, Deer Park ISD and La Porte ISD and the Pasadena area.

ScoutreachThe Scoutreach service area is a non-traditional school based program. Scouting paraprofessionals support units in select schools in the Aldine ISD, Alief ISD, Fort Bend ISD, Houston ISD, Lamar ISD, North Forest ISD, and Spring Branch ISD.

SkylineSkyline is in the East Division and serves Scouts living in Houston schools in Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, Acres Homes, the Heights, Independence Heights, North side of Downtown Houston, Magnolia, Denver Harbor, Wallisville Road and Port of Houston area.

Soaring EagleSoaring Eagle is in the West Division and serves Scouts living in the eastern area of the Cy-Fair school district.

Tall TimbersTall Timbers is located in the North Division and serves Scouts living in the Conroe school district (south of the San Jacinto River).

Texas SkiesTexas Skies is in the West Division and serves Scouts living in the Katy and Royal school districts.

Thunder WolfThunder Wolf is in the South Division and serves Scouts living in the Fort Bend school district (south of US-59 in Fort Bend county).

Twin BayouTwin Bayou is in the South Division and serves Scouts living in southwest area of Houston school district, including West University, Tanglewilde, River Oaks, Upper Kirby, Neartown, Galleria, Tanglewood and Westchase.

W.L. DavisW.L. Davis is located in the East Division and serves Scouts living in the south region of the Houston, inner city Houston, Third Ward, Sunnyside, and Hiram Clarke area.

SupportHelp ensure the success of Scouting in the Sam Houston Area Council with meaningful gifts.

Ways to GiveScouting is made possible through the generosity of volunteers, families, members of our community and companies

Houston Sports BreakfastThe Houston Sports Breakfast is an opportunity to honor an individual for making a difference in the greater Houston area. Proceeds support the programs of the council.

Dodgeball ChallengeThe Corporate Dodgeball Challenge is a fundraiser to support council programs. As many as 60 ten-man player teams compete for the championship cup.

Celebrating CulturesIndividuals and organizations who have made an outstanding contribution toward implementing Scouting opportunities for at-risk youth in urban and rural areas are recognized at Celebrating Cultures.

EndowmentEndowment gifts ensure that the council can continue to offer the outstanding programs we now have and also grow to meet the needs of our youth and community for the next 100 years.

Leaders of Tomorrow CampaignThe Leaders of Tomorrow Campaign is an initiative to unleash the potential of our programs and camp properties to best serve the needs of Scouting families in the 21st century.

Memorials and TributesMemorials and tributes are a gratifying way for individuals, businesses, or groups to remember special friends.

New Eagle Scout ReceptionEagle Scouts are recognized at the New Eagle Scout Reception. The evening is underwritten with sponsorships.

Planned GivingDonors can use giving to achieve personal goals, enhance your financial security, and to help shape the future of Scouting.

Sporting Clays TournamentThe Sporting Clays Tournament is an annual event to support the council's programs for at-risk youth. Up to one hundred four-person teams can compete in the shot gun shooting game.

ResourcesA variety of resources are available to assist parents and leaders in their Scouting efforts.

CommissionersCommissioners are district and council leaders who help Scout units succeed. The commissioner is the liaison between the local council and Scouting units.

District OperationsDistrict leaders ensure the growth and success of units within the district’s territory. Districts are responsible for carrying out four standard functions: membership, finance, program, and unit service.

Enterprise Risk ManagementBSA puts the utmost importance on the safe and healthy environments for its youth membership. The council takes great strides to ensure the safety of its youth and adult leadership.

Journey to ExcellenceJourney to Excellence is the BSA's council performance recognition program designed to encourage and reward success, and measure the performance of our units, districts, and councils.

Leader GuidesA variety of Leader Guide's are available to assist parents and leaders in their Scouting efforts.

Membership RecruitmentMembership recruitment efforts take place throughout the year. Our main objective is to ensure that every youth is invited to join Scouting, and to fulfill our promise to new Scouts for a great Scouting program.

Tour PlanThe tour and activity plan is a planning tool to help leaders be prepared for a safe and fun adventure. It helps ensure trained leadership is in place, equipment is available, and there is safe and appropriate transportation.

Uniform ExchangeThe uniform bank offers assistance to Scouts who would not otherwise be able to purchase a uniform.

Unit FinanceBusiness-like finance management not only assures that your unit will remain solvent and have what it needs when it needs it,

Enterprise Risk Management

Blog Post List

The BSA's Commitment to Safety is ongoing and we want you to know that the safety of our youth, volunteers, staff, and employees cannot be compromised. The Boy Scouts of America puts the utmost importance on the safe and healthy environments for its youth membership. The Sam Houston Area Council takes great strides to ensure the safety of its youth as well as the adult volunteer leadership that interacts with them.

Health and safety must be integrated into everything we do, to the point that no injuries are acceptable beyond those that are readily treatable by Scout-rendered first aid.

Few youth organizations encompass the breadth, volume, and diversity of physical activity common to Scouting, and none enjoy a better safety record. The key to maintaining and improving this exemplary record is the conscientious and trained adult leader who is attentive to safety concerns.

As an aid in the continuing effort to protect participants in a Scout activity, the BSA National Health and Safety Committee and the Council Services Division of the BSA National Council have developed the "Sweet Sixteen" of BSA safety procedures for physical activity. These 16 points, which embody good judgment and common sense, are applicable to all activities.

Youth Protection Training (YPT) is designed to help you keep youth safe from abuse. During YPT, participants learn the Boy Scouts of America’s Youth Protection Guidelines, signs of abuse, and how to report suspected abuse. After each section of material, participants will answer questions about that section’s topic. This course must be completed by all registered leaders, and is highly recommended for parents and other adults working with youth.

The purpose of the Guide to Safe Scouting is to prepare adult leaders to conduct Scouting activities in a safe and prudent manner. The policies and guidelines have been established because of the need to protect members from known hazards that have been identified through 100-plus years of experience. Limitations on certain activities should not be viewed as stumbling blocks; rather, policies and guidelines are best described as stepping-stones toward an enjoyable adventure.

All volunteers participating in official Scouting activities should become familiar with the Guide to Safe Scouting. Unit leaders should be aware of state and local government regulations that supersede Boy Scouts of America policies and guidelines.

In order to provide better care for its members and to assist them in better understanding their own physical capabilities, the Boy Scouts of America recommends that everyone who participates in a Scouting event have an annual medical evaluation by a certified and licensed health-care provider—a physician (MD or DO), nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. Providing your medical information on this four-part form will help ensure that you meet the minimum standards for participation in various activities. Note that unit leaders must always protect the privacy of unit participants by protecting their medical information. The BSA Annual Health and Medical Record is to be completed at least annually by participants in all Scouting events.

Health and Safety Training

The BSA and council offers a variety of training courses to educate the adult leadership through training courses online as well as in a classroom setting. Additional information is also available in the Guide to Safe Scouting and on the BSA Scouting Safely website.

First Aid/CPR/AED: Would you know what to do in a cardiac, breathing or first aid emergency? The right answer could help you save a life. With an emphasis on hands-on learning, our First Aid/CPR/AED courses give you the skills to save a life. Red Cross First Aid, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and AED (automated external defibrillator) training is universally recognized for its effectiveness. It can help ensure that everyone from the Scout working on a First Aid merit badge to a Scouter leading a unit on a high-adventure trek is fully prepared. Find the next scheduled course.

Wilderness First Aid (WFA) is the assessment of and treatment given to an ill or injured person in a remote environment where definitive care by a physician and/or rapid transport is not readily available. Participants will learn how to assess, treat, and (when possible) contain emergencies within the scope of their training. Find the next scheduled course.

Tools to plan events and campouts

The campout safety checklist provides guidance on safety issues that you may encounter at a Scouting campout. Along with the Guide to Safe Scouting and the tour and activity plan, this tool will help you in having conversations on identifying risks that need to be mitigated or eliminated.

The event safety checklist provides guidance on safety issues that you may encounter at a Scouting event. This is a tool, not a list of mandatory guidelines. The intent of the checklist is to create conversations among event organizers around risks and ways to mitigate or eliminate them.

As an aid in the continuing effort to protect participants in a Scout activity, the BSA National Health and Safety Committee and the Council Services Division of the BSA National Council have developed the "Sweet Sixteen" of BSA safety procedures for physical activity. These 16 points, which embody good judgment and common sense, are applicable to all activities.

Emergency Preparedness

Emergency management, emergency preparedness, and disaster services are common throughout the United States - we take care of each other. By whatever name, these activities encompass preparedness, response, mitigation and recovery related to any kind of disaster, whether natural, technological, or national security. Emergency preparedness means being prepared for all kinds of emergencies, able to respond in a time of crisis to save lives and property, and to help a community or even a nation - return to normal life after a disaster occurs.

The Emergency Preparedness BSA program is planned to inspire the desire and foster the skills to meet this challenge in our youth and adult members so that they can participate effectively in this crucial service to their families, communities, and nation. Please review the linked documents to help your family be prepared for emergencies.

Incident Reporting

A key responsibility that all volunteers and professional staff share is providing an effective program that meets the needs of young people and provides the proper health and safety of everyone concerned. It is important that we sustain the safe operation of our programs and promote continuous improvement through organizational learning. Timely and complete incident reports support analysis that is critical to identifying needed improvement of the programs offered by the Boy Scouts of America.

Mandatory Report of Child Abuse

All persons involved in Scouting shall report to local authorities any good-faith suspicion or belief that any child is, or has been, physically or sexually abused, physically or emotionally neglected, exposed to any form of violence or threat, exposed to any form of sexual exploitation, including the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child pornography, online solicitation, enticement, or showing of obscene material. You may not abdicate this reporting responsibility to any other person.

Steps to Reporting Child Abuse

Ensure the child is in a safe environment.

In cases of child abuse or medical emergencies, call 911 immediately. In addition, if the suspected abuse is in the Scout's home or family, you are required to contact the local child abuse hotline.

Notify the Scout executive or designee.

Reporting Violations of BSA Youth Protection Policies

Reports of child abuse may come in many forms. They may be in the form of conversation, phone calls or letters (either anonymous or with the person making the report identified).

You must make an oral report immediately to the nearest PRS Child Protective Services (CPS) office or to the 24-hour Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400 (voice or TDD). All reports to CPS are given to local law enforcement agencies.

Immunity: If you, without malice, make a report of suspected child abuse or neglect, you are immune from civil or criminal liability.

Confidentiality: Reports of child abuse and neglect are confidential. Information in the reports, including the name of the person who makes the report, may be used only for the investigation of abuse or neglect.

Failure to Report: It is the law in Texas that suspected physical or mental abuse or neglect of a child must be reported. Failure to do so is a crime punishable by fine, imprisonment or both.

The Scout executive or council designee and the person making a report of suspected abuse are required by law to report all suspected cases to the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Service (PRS) and/or law enforcement agency.

Scouts First Helpline

The protection of youth is the primary obligation of every individual involved in the Boy Scouts of America - including leaders, parents, members and professionals. The BSA has been and will continue to be vigilant in its efforts to create barriers that help prevent abuse and to recognize and report child abuse regardless of where it occurs.

As part of the BSA's "Scouts First" approach to the protection and safety of youth, the BSA has established "844- Scout1st ,”, (844-726-8871), a dedicated 24-hour helpline to receive reports of known or suspected abuse or behavior that might put a youth at risk. (The call may be answered by a person who gathers initial information and escalates the report for further handling based upon the nature of the situation.)

The helpline's goal is to provide immediate assistance to ensure that the victim, unit, and council are fully supported and the actions taken are properly documented. Minor, non-recurring infractions with no indication youth are at risk can still be addressed at the unit or council level.

Nationwide, the BSA requires everyone involved with Scouting to report any known or suspected abuse to local authorities.

Responding to Abuse: When information regarding known or suspected abuse or behavior that might put a youth at risk is first discovered, the following steps should immediately be taken:

Get the victim medical treatment, if required, and to a place of safety if needed

Ensure the victim(s) parents are notified as soon as possible

Notify law enforcement and/or child protective services

Call the 844-Scouts1st Helpline

Reporting Abuse or behavior that might put a youth at risk: Accurate information is critical to an appropriate response; however, a lack of specific information is not a reason to delay a report. At a minimum. every effort should be made to have the following infom1ation available when reporting to the 844-Scoutslst Helpline:

The name, age, council, and unit of the alleged victim(s)

The name and phone number of the victim's parent(s)

The name, age, council, and unit of any other known or suspected victim(s) and their parents contact information

The name, position, council, and unit of alleged perpetrator(s)

The name and phone number of the law enforcement or protective service agency to which the incident was reported

The name, unit, and council of any known witnesses

The name and phone number of the reporter

Details of the incident: who, what, where, and when

The BSA also offers assistance with counseling to any Scout, former Scout, or family member of any Scout who suffered abuse during their time in Scouting. Individuals can email scouthelp@scouting.org or call toll free at 855- 295-1531 to discuss these sensitive matters. Questions regarding the 844-Scouts1st Helpline should be directed to BSA Membership Standards at 972-580-2365 or 972-580-2007.

ScoutsFirst for Counseling and Support

The Boy Scouts of America is committed to providing ongoing support to victims and their families, including counseling. We want to help victims heal, on their own terms, with a professional counselor of their choice. Through the ScoutsFirst Helpline, the Boy Scouts of America offers assistance with counseling to any youth member, former youth member, or the family of any youth member who suffered abuse during their time in Scouting. To reach the ScoutsFirst Helpline, call (844)-Scouts1 or (844)726-8871, or email scouts1st@scouting.org. Support is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

Update to the BSA Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug Use and Abuse Guidelines

Effective with the October 2014, the Guide To Safe Scouting Section IV Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug Use and Abuse was updated. It now states, "Adult leaders should support the attitude that they, as well as youth, are better off without tobacco in any form and may not allow the use of tobacco products at any BSA activity involving youth participants. This includes the use of electronic cigarettes, personal vaporizers or electronic nicotine delivery systems which simulates tobacco smoking."

The council First Aid Meet is an event that challenges Scouts' abilities to perform first aid in simulated real-life situations. Boy Scout patrols compete in practical first aid problems, displaying hands-on skills from the Scout Handbook, First Aid merit badge pamphlet, and current American Red Cross guidelines. The top patrols at each district’s first aid meet are eligible to compete in the council First Aid Meet. Patrols are given a variety of scenarios and are expected to show proficiency in first aid.

Enterprise Risk Management Committee

Objectives of the Enterprise Risk Management programs are to educate the adult leadership in the available programs through training courses online as well as in a classroom setting. The Boy Scouts of America and the Sam Houston Area Council have created guidelines to help units:

Know, understand, and comply with all rules, policies, and procedures.

Model safe behaviors when participating in Scouting events.

Encourage staff, volunteer leaders and youth members to share in the management of risk.